Gears at the Shoulders

A heavy winged corkscrew stood upright on the butcher block, its cast-metal arms tucked neatly against its flanks. I tilted my head to inspect the circular gear teeth meshing at its shoulders. Stepping close across the end-grain timber, I reached up with both hands and eased one winged lever upward. The notched rack engaged the central pinion with a subtle, oiled hum, causing the threaded steel spiral to sink smoothly through the collar. Intrigued by the reciprocal mechanics, I lifted the opposite wing to match it, watching the paired teeth roll together in flawless symmetry.